Low travel demand linked to Corona virus concerns has prompted Oslo-based Norwegian Air to cancel 22 long-distance flights between Europe and the US this spring. Flights to and from Rome will be among those most affected.
The airline, which continues to face financial challenges after lots of growing pains, stressed higher returns and a better on-time record in a press release Thursday morning. It claimed that its strategy shift from passenger and route growth to profitability was showing better results, but lower ticket sales on specific routes prompted the cancellation of 22 flights between March 28 and May 5.
They include flights between Rome and US cities including Los Angeles, Boston and New York, along with a reduction in flights between London and New York. Passengers holding tickets on the cancelled flights will be offered alternative departures.
The cancellations at Norwegian Air, which noted that it already has “reduced capacity” by up to 15 percent this year, follow several other airlines’ decisions to do the same, including arch-rival SAS. The business travel market was said to be more adversely affected by Corona virus fears than the leisure market, in which Norwegian has a larger share.
newsinenglish.no staff
